Canfield teachers get 2 percent pay raises for next school year

Beginning teachers will earn nearly $30,000.
CANFIELD -- The roughly 195 teachers and tutors in the Canfield Education Association will receive 2 percent pay increases in the next school year.
Superintendent Dante Zambrini told school board members at a meeting Wednesday that the teachers union approached the administration about extending the contract through the 2005-06 year with the 2 percent raise.
Other aspects of the pact remain intact.
In 2003, the union switched from a traditional health insurance plan to a preferred provider plan that was projected to save the district nearly $300,000.
Board members approved a memorandum of understanding to extend the contract and provide the raise. Union members previously approved the plan, Zambrini said.
Approval negates the need to open negotiations.
With the raise, the rate for beginning teachers will rise from $29,394 this year to $29,982 next year.
The pay for a 27-year teacher, who earns $52,027 this year, bumps to $53,068.
Teachers received no pay increases in the 2003-04 school year and a 3.25 percent wage increase this school year.
"This shows their cooperation and we are very pleased," Zambrini said.
New devices
The superintendent also announced that the district will receive 10 automatic external defibrillators for use in school buildings.
The devices can deliver a shock to restart someone's heart in emergency situations. Seven AEDs were donated by the Cardinal Joint Fire District, one was donated by the athletic boosters and the district received two from the state.
One will be kept at each elementary school, three at the middle school, four in the high school and the portable, donated by the boosters, will be in the wrestling room.
Coaches, physical education teachers and other school personnel are undergoing training to learn how to use the devices.
"We don't want to ever use it to be honest with the board, but if we have to use it once, it's worth it," the superintendent said.Canfield